Oh, grow up! Ephesians 4:14

Good morning everyone!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Yesterday I visited with you about sharing the word and becoming mature Christians. If we follow the Bible and its teachings then we will share the word, become mature, and go forth with great vitality and vigor.  Look at verse 14.

Ephesians 4:14-16 " Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching.  We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth."

Christ is the truth (John 14:6) and the  Holy Spirit, who guides the church, is the Spirit of truth (John 16:13).  Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44).  As followers of Christ, we must be committed to the truth.  This means both that our words should be honest and that our actions should reflect Christ's integrity.

Speaking the truth in love is not always easy, convenient, or pleasant, but it is necessary if the church is going to do Christ's work in the world.

Pray, seek the truth, and go forth speaking the gossip and following Christ.  We have a lot facing us in the USA; elections, Isaac, droughts, unemployment, and on and on.  It is your job as a Christian to share the truth, following only Christ.   Let go of emotional responses, loyalties to party lines and old ways; go forth boldly as did Paul, John, Peter and share what you know is the truth.

Check want you hear from the news, from the politicians locally, state wide and nationally and see if it follows with your belief in Christ.  To be lukewarm for Jesus is worse than being cold; therefore; be hot (on fire) for Christ.  Love you all.

    In Christ's Love and Grace
       Johnny

Tell others, warn and teach Ephesians 4:12,13

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Ephesians 4:12,13 "Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.  This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ."

God has given his church an enormous responsibility, to make disciples in every nation (Mat 28:18-20). This involves preaching, teaching, healing, nurturing, giving, administering, building, and many other tasks.  If we had to fulfill this command as individuals it would be impossible.  But God calls us as members of his body. Some of us can do one task; some do another.  Together we can obey God more fully than any of us could alone.  As the body of Christ, we can accomplish more together than we would dream possible working by ourselves.  

Colossians 1:28,29 "So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us.  We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ.  That's why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ's mighty power that works within me."

Christ's message is for everyone; so everywhere Paul and Timothy went, they brought the Good News to all who would listen.  An effective presentation of the Good News includes warning and teaching.  The warning is that without Christ, people are doomed to eternal separation from God.

The teaching is that salvation is available through faith in Christ.  As Christ works in you, tell others about him, warning and teaching them in love.  Who do you know that needs to hear the message?  Will you share it?  Love you all.

   In Christ's Love and Grace
        Johnny

Using your gifts for God's glory?

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Ephesians 4:11,12 "Now these are the figts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.  Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ."

Your individuality is not taken away by our oneness in Christ.  The Holy Spirit has given each of us, Christians, special gifts for building up the church.  Now that we have these gifts, it is crucial to use them.  Are you using your gifts?

1 Corinthians 12:27,28 "All of you together are Christ's body, and each of you is a part of it.  Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church:  first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages."

Are you spiritually mature, exercising the gifts God has given you?  If you know what your gifts are, look for opportunities to serve.  If you don't know, ask God to show you, perhaps with the help of your minister or Christian friends.  Then, as you begin to recognize your special area of service, use your gifts to strengthen and encourage the church.

Go forth, use your gifts, and let others see Christ in you. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
   Johnny

We are one body, one Spirit Ephesians 4:4-7

Good morning every one!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!

  Ephesians 4:4-7 " For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.  There is one LORD, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.  However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ."

   All believers in Christ belong to one body; all are united under one head, ---JESUS CHRIST!!! 
Each believer has God-given abilities that can strengthen the whole body.  Your special ability may seem small or large, but it is yours to use in God's service.  Ask God to use your unique gifts to contribute to the strength and health of the body of believers.

   In Romans 12:⁵ so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

    We are all in this together.  You have been called to the one glorious hope for the future.  Christians, we must stand up for what is Biblically correct.  We are ONE BODY FOR CHRIST!  No where in the Bible does it mention democrat, republican, independent, liberal, conservative, etc.  Stand up, speak out, take action, vote, do what is right in GOD's EYES!
    A Mormon church-owned NBC affiliate in Utah won't air an upcoming sitcom about a gay couple that invites a surrogate mother into their home as they try to have a baby because the station deems the content inappropriate for its audience.
"The New Normal" is set to debut Sept. 11 on NBC.  I applaud them for their stand.  Where do you stand?  One body, One spirit for Christ; or are you all about you and your secular beliefs?
    This NBC affliate is not doing hate speech, just as chick fil a did not do hate speech; they are standing on Biblical principals.  If you don't stand for JESUS CHRIST then you stand for Satan!  Think about this for a moment.  I would invite your comments.  Pray for our communities, counties, states, and nation.  Pray for our leaders, pray they do right, and make Biblical based decisions.
    Thank you for reading today.  We are one body, let's us stand up-be seen-be heard! Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
   Johnny

United in Spirit, bound with peace! Ephesians 4:3

Good morning all! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Friday I visited with you about leading a life worthy of being called a Christian (Christ like).  Also, being patient, humble, allowing for others faults through love.  Today let's look at Ephesians 4:3.

Eph 4:3  "Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace."

One of the Holy Spirit's important roles is to build unity. We, being united in the Spirit, should be willing to be led and to do our part to keep the peace.  How do we do that?  First, what is our focus - GOD!  Then what?  PRAYER! We should focus on God, what God wants us to do and not focus on what "I want to do."

Ephesians 1:13,14 "And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you.  And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago."

   The Holy Spirit is God's guarantee that we belong to him and that he will do what he has promised.
The Holy Spirit is like a validating signature on a contract. The Holy Spirit in us demonstrates the genuineness of our faith, proves that we are God's children, and secures eternal life for us.  His power works in us to transform us now, and what we experience now is a taste of the total change we will experience in eternity.
     Are you united?  Is the Holy Spirit leading you?  Or are you doing as I have done for years, beat a path through the wilderness, struggling, and then coming back and wondering why?  When the Holy Spirit leads --- FOLLOW!  Be obedient, don't question, just follow.  God's way is the best way. Love you all.  Share salvation with someone, tell your story to someone - DO YOU BELIEVE IN EASTER?  Love you all.

   In Christ's Love and Grace
     Johnny

Lead a life worthy of God's calling - Ephesians 4:1,2

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Well, what is happening in your world?  Are you a representative of Christ or a representative of the world?

Ephesians 4:1,2 "Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the LORD, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.  Always be humble ad gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love."

Wow!  Read that once more slowly.  "LEAD A LIFE WORTHY OF YOUR CALLING."  Are you, in fact, doing this?  God has chosen us to be Christ's representatives on earth.  Paul challenges us to live lives worthy of the calling we have received- an awesome privilege of being called Christ's very own.
The next phrase tells us we are CALLED BY GOD.  Can there be any greater call?  Do you feel called by God?  Do you realize you are called by God?  The greatest power in all the world, the complete universe has CALLED YOU!

Since you are a representative how should you act?  Verse 2 tells you clearly and I ask do you reflect this?  "Always be HUMBLE and GENTLE.  Be PATIENT with each other, MAKING ALLOWANCE for each other's FAULTS because of your love.  People are watching your life!!!  Can they see Christ in you?  Do you really reflect JESUS CHRIST?  

I stumble, I fall, I may cause others to stumble through my ignorance, but I pray God will help me in my quest to "lead a life worthy" of God's calling.  May your steps be true, your heart in one accord with Jesus, and your reflection be one of Jesus. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
     Johnny

God's masterpiece Ephesians 2:10

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Okay,  my friend Liz Starkey caught and corrected me on yesterday's devotional.  She stated: "You are wrong Johnny unconfessed sin cannot keep us from the love of God, for Romans 8:38 states that nothing can separate us from the love of God. "

In my words my intent was that WE drive the wedge between us and God. God never moves, but we do, and when we feel guilty we may 'avoid' talking to God, but this is all due to our guilt.  Romans 8:37 "No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us."
   Nothing can separate us from Christ's presence.  We should feel totally secure in Christ, in God!  To better understand this please go back and read Romans 8:31-39.   Thank you Liz.
    
    Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."

   We are God's masterpiece, His work of art, His workmanship.  Our salvation is something only God can do.  It is his powerful, creative work in us.  If God considers us his masterpieces, we should not treat ourselves or others with disrespect or as inferior work.
    As with the masterpieces of the great artists of the world, people come and see, admire, and see the reflection of the artist.  Do others see the reflection of Christ in YOU?  Is Christ so much in you that others wonder what you have?  They want to have what you have? Which is the love of God!
Love you all.
    In Christ's Love and Grace
       Johnny

Feel stagnant, can't reach others? Psalm 51:12,13

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

  Psalm 51:12 "Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. (13) The I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you."

Do you ever feel stagnant in your faith, as though you are just going through the motions?  Has sin ever driven a wedge between you and God?   God seems distant? 
     David felt this way.  He had sinned with Bathsheba and had just been confronted by Nathan the prophet.  In his prayer he cried, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation."
    God wants us to be close to Him and to experience His full and complete life.  But sin that remains unconfessed makes such intimacy impossible.  Confess your sin to God.  You may still have to face some earthly consequences, as David did, but God will give back the joy of your relationship with Him.

V. 13 When God forgives our sin and restores our fellowship with Him, we want to reach out to others who need this forgiveness and reconciliation.  The more you feel God's forgiveness, the more you will desire to tell others about it.  
      Where are you today?  Wishing to restore the joy of your salvation and share the good news with others?  Or, are you walking with and hanging on to your sins?  Take time, be silent, listen to God. Thank you for reading today.  May your salvation be renewed and the joy jumping from your lips. Love you all.
    In Christ's Love and Grace
      Johnny

Re-paint and thin no more! Psalm 51:10

Good morning all!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Psalm 51:10  "CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART, O GOD. RENEW A LOYAL SPIRIT WITHIN ME."

Because we are born sinners (51:5) our natural inclination is to please ourselves rather than God.  David followed that inclination when he took another man's wife.  Like David, we must ask God to cleanse us from within (51:7), filling our hearts and spirits with new thoughts and desires.

Right conduct can come only from a clean heart and spirit.  Ask God to create a pure heart and spirit in you.  I felt led to share this as I was suddenly waken at 4:00 a.m. this morning with this thought/joke in my head.  I felt God was speaking to me and wanted me to share.

The local painter would bid and receive a lot of jobs.  He usually under bid all of his competitors.  His competitors did not know how he could do all the jobs he did at the price he did.  What they did not know was he thinned his paint so 1 gallon would go as far as 2 and sometimes 3 gallons.  
    Now his paint was so watered down or thinned it still looked nice, but he always had to paint on bright sun shine and warm days with no chance of rain.  Well, he bid on the church to repaint the complete outside.  He won the bid. It was a clear day, not a cloud in the sky and he went to the church.
    He began to paint and was on the last side of the church when suddenly some clouds came up, gathered, the sky turned dark and it began to rain.  This was distressing to the painter as he knew the paint would not withstand rain until it was totally dry.
   Suddenly a cloud burst and the rain came hard and fast, the painter sadly watched as his fresh new thinned or watered down paint began to wash off the sides of the church and he knew he would have to paint it again.
   K-pow! A lightening bold from the sky came down, a loud clap of thunder and the clouds parted.  Then the painter heard a voice from the sky, it was God. God said to the painter, "Re-paint, re-paint and thin no more!"
   How does this relate to Psalm 51:10 - we are in life for ourselves and for our own gain.  We, you and I are not the way to eternal life, to follow God, to follow Christ is the only way and there are no shortcuts.  So my friend, re-paint and thin no more, let us have a renewed heart each moment of each day and let it be filled with Jesus. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Scorpion sting? Lose everything! Proverbs 6:27

Good morning all.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Today's Bible devotional was very good and I don't believe I can say it better.  This is talking about Aesop telling the story of the scorpion's sting.  Aesop tell of a boy hunting for locusts.  The lad had caught quite a few when he saw a scorpion.  Mistaking it for a locust, he reached out his hand to take it.  The scorpion showed his stinger and said, If you had but touched me, my friend, you would have lost me, and all your locusts too!

   There are some things you cannot embrace without losing what you have in the process.  King Solomon said in Proverbs 6:27 "Can a man take fire to his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?

We have to be aware that is the beautiful creation God man there are flower and songbirds, but there are also scorpions and fires.  We need to remember the Bible gives us insights to help us understand the wisdom of an eternal God who loves us far more than our own mothers and fathers do.

Life offers us choices. Christ graciously offers us forgiveness for what is past, and wisdom for what yet lies ahead.   The lessons of life are best learned when Chrsit is your teacher.

Love you all.  In Christ's Love and Grace
    Johnny

Forgiveness - Lips service or as Jesus did Luke 23:24

Good morning all. God is good all  the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

   As you move here, there and yonder do you think about the people you encounter?  People do thinks, react, and many times do not know or understand what they are doing or have done.   Someone cuts you off in traffic, steps in front of you when checking out of a store, rushes past bumping you without a sorry-excuse me-or anything.  What usually happens?  Anger boils up inside us.

Why do people do this?  In large part because they are concerned about themselves, and themselves only.  Aren't you glad our saviour was not concerned about only himself?  When Jesus was in his darkest hour he thought of others, He suffered for others, He loved you and me.

Luke 23:24  "Then said Jesus, 'Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.  And they parted his raiment, and cast lots."

Jesus was able to look in the hearts of others and know they had no knowledge of what they were doing.  His love for people was so great He could look around and ask forgiveness for them.  Can you do this? When people cut you off driving?  When people "wrong" you, can you forgive them as you know they may not know they are doing?

Jesus' death opened the way for us to become new creatures in Christ Jesus and become more like Him. We, too, can forgive those who wrong us and pray for them as did Jesus.  "Father, forgive them."

Is Jesus' love truly in your heart or just on your lips?  Our prayer should be that God helps us forgive those who mistreat us.  Love you all.

In Christ Love and Grace
  Johnny

Servant or served? Luke 22:24-30

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Servant or served?  The devil is everywhere.  The devil was even in the upper room.  The devil is not a red man with a pointed tail, horns and a pitch fork; he is light, alluring, a worldly attraction pulling us his way.

Look around in the world today, you will see frowns, scowls, harsh and unkind words, strife at work causing friction among workers, people.   You will also see that the only way to have fun in this world is with alcohol, a party, a beautiful woman or handsome man, and all kinds of bling like new cars, new house, and such.

Evil surrounds us daily, and you are a threat to the devil when you mention ANYTHING about GOD!  The disciples wanted to know who would be greatest among them; who could sit on the right hand of Jesus.  Luke 22:24 "Then they (disciples) began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them."

At this point Jesus said to them, Luke 22:25-30 "....In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called 'friends of the people.' But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.  Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves?  The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here!  For I am among you as one who serves.  You have stayed with me in my time of trial.  And just as my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I now grant you the right to eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom.  And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

There is no reason to contend for real greatness or to endeavor to snatch it from others, for it is open to all and springs from within.  Greatness is that quality which chooses good with invincible resolution; resists temptation; bears the heaviest burdens; calmly and courageously faces the strom; and relies on truth, virtue, and God.

May our prayer today be, "Father, help me see the difference between greatness that honors You and position that satisfies human vanity."  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
   Johnny

Accept or reject! That is the question!! John 6:70

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

  Accept or Reject?  That is the question!  Yesterday I mentioned in John 6:70 where Jesus said, "I chose the twelve of you, but one is a devil."   Why did he say that?  Because he knew that one, Judas, was following Jesus for personal gain, not eternal gain.

    Accept or Reject!  We are of free will, I can drive the car I choose, a ford, chevy, dodge, mercedes, bmw, etc.  I can live where I want, work where I want, and just plain ole do what I want, worship where I want or not worship.  Then my question boils down to who or what am I living for?

  Jesus called 12, eleven of who remained true to Him.  One strayed, betrayed, and realizing what he had done killed himself.  Where are you today?  Accept or Reject - that really is the question.  If you accept Jesus Christ as your saviour you are accepting life eternal; if you reject Jesus, essentially, you are as Judas, killing yourself and spending eternity in damnation.

    As a young man I lived in the world 6 days a week, but was holy on Sunday.  Was I living for Christ? The answer, of course, is not only NO, but hell no, as hell is where I was headed.  As I grew,  became older, Christ became my saviour.  Has it made a difference!  HEAVENS YES!!  Do I still dabble in the world? Yes, because I have a sin nature; however, I ask forgiveness and get back in line and in step with Jesus.

    As Peter said about following Christ: 'there is no other way.'  My pray for you and me is that we follow Christ and not be pretenders; going to church for status, approval of others, business contacts, or what ever the motive may be.  There are only 2 responses - accept or reject!  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
    Johnny

Believe or bling; dedicated or decorated - John 6:69/Num 18:6

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!

So, what is happening in your world?  Jabo preached Sunday about a couple of things, one of which I will address at this time.  He mentioned the cross many of us wear.  Yesterday, while driving and listening to the radio I heard this mentioned again.  Food for thought:  Believe or Bling;  Dedicated or Decoration?

Why do you wear the cross?  Is it bling, decoration?  So people will mention it to you or is it a symbol of something great that was done for you?

John 6:69, the disciples spoke to Jesus and said, "We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God."   Do you believe this?  Do you really believe this with all your heart, mind, and soul?

Then in John 6:70 Jesus spoke to the disciples and said, "I chose the twelve of you, but one is a devil."  Wow!

Jesus knew; do you know?  In your heart which are you - disciple or devil? Believer or bling-er?
Dedicated or decoration?  Is your cross simply decoration that accents what you are wearing?  Or does it just make the appearance you wish to convey come to life?

Numbers 18:6 "I myself have chosen your fellow Levite's from among the Israelites to be your special assistants.  They are a gift to you, dedicated to the LORD for service in the Tabernacle."
    God spoke to Aaron, Moses brother, and gave him the message above.  Jesus, God-man, came to earth with His message for us.  We need to be as the Levite's of old, "DEDICATED TO THE LORD FOR SERVICE" and we can.  Is your cross decoration or dedication?
   Love you all!  I leave you with these thoughts:  believe or bling; dedicated or decorated?
In Christ's Love and Grace
    Johnny

Know? Or know about? What is the difference? Eph 1:16-17

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good! TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Where are you today, in your relationship with our LORD and Savior - Jesus Christ?  Do you know about God?  About Jesus Christ?  OR, do you KNOW God and Jesus Christ?

There is a difference.  Many know about God and Jesus as they have studied the Bible, studied in the sense of reading it as a biographical book.  This gives the information necessary to "know about" just as a history book helps us to" know about" the many events in the history of the world.

However, the question is DO YOU KNOW JESUS CHRIST?!?

Ephesians 1:16-17 "I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God."

Paul's prayer, as should be our prayer, is to know God better.  We can know about Jesus, but we need to know God, know Jesus. So, how do we do this?  To really get to know someone you need to spend time with that person.  We need to read our Bible, have devotional times, spend time in prayer, be still and listen to God.  People may "enjoy" what they are doing and being in the world, yet they will show up Sunday for church carrying the mask of deception.  We need to realize the "FREEDOM" of living is living for Christ.

Personal knowledge of Christ and spending time in prayer will change your life.  Who do you rely on? Yourself or Jesus?  Take time now for at least a moment of silence to thank God for yourself and all you have. Love you all.

  In Christ's Love and Grace
         Johnny

A heart of gratitude - Psalm 19:1

Good morning everyone!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED! 

A SMILE goes MILES!  Yesterday we talked about whine or smile, about someone who would die to save your life, have you thought about this?  The love that is involved to give your life for someone? That is what Jesus did for you.

Do you have a heart of gratitude? Have you meditated on what God has done for you? Have you looked around at God's wonderful creation - the earth, the heavens, the universe?

God reveals himself through nature, Psalm 19:1-6.  Look at Psalm 19:1 "The heaven declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork."

God's handiwork is a spectacle that should take our breath away and inspire us to worship and praise our God as it did the psalmist.  We are surrounded by displays of the greatest art work ever, God's craftsmanship.  The heavens give evidence of his existence, his power, his love, his care.  How could anyone say the universe happened by chance, an explosion, how absurd.

God's glory shines through His creation.  YOU are one of God's CREATIONS!  Do you have a heart of gratitude for God, what God created, and what God has done for you?

Davy Crockett, not known for praising God a lot, when he looked out and saw the new land he was about to cross said, "O God, what a world of beauty has Thou made for man!  And yet how poorly does he requite Thee for it!  He does not even repay Thee with gratitude."  Davy Crockett recognized that the Creator's handiwork demands a response of thankfulness, a response that is often neglected.

Take time now to thank God for all he has done for you. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
   Johnny

Are you worth dying for? John 3:16

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

To WHINE or SMILE, that is the question.

Jabo last Sunday mentioned the movie, 'saving pvt. ryan' and what the soldiers went through to save him.  Then on the radio this week I heard a preacher speak about someone giving their life to save another and they were talking about the Aurora, CO shooting when a young man covered his girlfriend and saved her life.

Do you think someone would cast their self in harms way to save your life?  Think for a moment, who would that be?  It has already happened.  Jesus Christ gave up his life for you.  Say this and place your name in it.  JESUS CHRIST GAVE HIS LIFE FOR ________(your name).

Are you a sinner? Hell yes!  Are you saved? Heavens yes!!!  So it is time to rejoice and be glad.

When you rise in the morning is it: "Good Lord it's morning" OR"Good Morning LORD!"
You can whine or your can smile.  When you smile it helps your attitude, makes your friends happy, and keeps your enemies wondering.   When you whine everyone knows!

Stop, be still, listen, and then read John 3:16.  Is your life worth the pain and suffering Jesus went through?  Make his pain and suffering, his Crucifixion worth it.  Quit whining - S M I L E !

Write SMILE twice, but the second time move the  "S" to the end.  A SMILE will go MILES!
Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
   Johnny

Fisher's of men Luke 5: 1-11

Good morning everyone. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

    Yesterday, while having lunch at a small diner in Fort Worth I spoke to a lady who worked for the state of Texas.   After a brief visit we realized each other were Christians and then re-engaged in conversation.  After eating and upon leaving, as I was preparing to back out she exited and happened to be parked next to me.  She asked me a question and I am going to share this with you.  She said:
      "Are you in the ministry?"

   Now what would your answer be?  I, of course, hesitated a moment, stammered out a slow NO, then recanted and said, well yes in a way.  We talked again briefly about our role as a Christian believer.  Jesus Christ did not say follow me and be quiet.  He said come and be fishers of men.  That is our calling.

   What did Jesus say to Simon Peter?  Jesus was preaching to the people from Simon's boat and told him to push out into the water. Jesus sat in the boat and preached to the crowd from there.  When finished Jesus told Simon to go out where it is deeper and let down their nets again.  Simon explained they fished all night and did not catch a thing, but okay they would do this.  After DOING WHAT JESUS SAID their nets were so full they were beginning to tear.

   Another boat came to help and both boats were full, close to sinking. Simon Peter suddenly realized this miracle, a miracle from God, then he realized how insignificant he really was.  He told Jesus to please leave as he was a sinner and not worthy to be around Him.  Jesus said to him, "Don't be afraid! From now on you will be fishers of men."

   Two things happened here and we need to be aware of.  First, we are sinners and not worthy; second, follow Jesus!  Very simple.  Now back to the question, 'are you in the ministry?'  Yes, you are in the ministry.  I am in the ministry.  We, you and I are fishers of men.  We don't have to wear the collar, have the diploma, we are ordained by a higher and mighty authority - GOD!

   Go forth my brothers and sisters in Christ, share your ministry and spread the good news of our saviour - JESUS CHRIST!  Tell someone about Jesus today my friend. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
    Johnny

Be still, listen, do you hear God? Psalm 46:10

Good morning everyone. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

What is happening in your world?  What has happened in your world?  Are you truly obedient?  1 Kings 9:1-12 God spoke to Solomon and told what would happen if he, or his lineage was disobedient to God. Dealing with disobedience God told Solomon:  9: ".....Because his people abandoned the LORD their God, who brought their ancestors out of Egypt, and they worshiped other gods instead and bowed down to them. That is why the LORD has brought all these disasters on them."

W O W !

Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God!  I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world."

If your doctor is operating on you with a local anesthetic or your dentist tells you to hold still - you probably will follow his instructions.  So, why aren't we as cooperative when it comes to our spiritual stillness?  After an operation there is "recovery time" or a time to be still and heal.   Don't you need this in your spiritual life as well?

Take time, by yourself, no phone, no computer, no radio or tv and will all being still listen!  Just listen!  You will hear sounds around you that are happening that you were not aware of.  Keep listening, tune in to God and hear his voice.

War and destruction are inevitable. God's victory is inevitable and real.  When the final time arrives ALL WILL STAND QUIETLY BEFORE THE ALL POWERFUL LORD!  Don't wait, take time now to reverently honor God, His power, His majesty.

Take time each day to be still and to honor God.  Get you an accountability prayer partner. As Nike says, "Just do it!"   Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
    Johnny

Who is in your boat? What waves distract you? Colossians 2:8

Good morning all! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!


Who is in your boat?  Who do you have confidence in?  Colossians 2:8 "Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ."


   How often and easily is our confidence shaken.  Who is in the boat with you.  The disciples were in the boat, Jesus was asleep and a storm with large waves came up.  What happened?  The disciples were afraid, they woke the master, Jesus, and what did Jesus do?  He calmed the waves.


  Peter saw Jesus walking on the water, Peter stepped out and walked on the water also, then what happened?  Peter noticed the waves, the water and began to sink.  What did Jesus do? He lifted Peter out of the water.


When you are in your boat are you letting the waves distract you and you take your eyes off Jesus?  To resist the false religion which roams the world we must use our minds, keep our eyes on Jesus Christ, and study God's word.


All sorts of temptations and distractions are out there.  Crazy schedules, up late, working long hours, then the  political scene, the world scene,  all of these "excuses" are tools satan uses to distract you, keep you away from the word of God.


When was the last time you had a really good prayer session with God, you Father in Heaven for 5 minutes?  3 minutes?  or even 1 minute?   When?  It is time, God is forever, the things of this world are temporal!  Whose boat are you in?  Do you know who is in your boat?  Food for thought. Love you all.


In Christ's Love and Grace
    Johnny

JESUS -The gift that keeps on giving!

Good morning all!  What a wonderful day to be alive in the LORD JESUS CHRSIT! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

   So, what is happening in your world today?  Olympics? Drought in Iowa? Obama? Romney? Unemployment? or maybe Praising Jesus.

   God did not make us to sit by and do nothing, the Bible talks about don't work-don't eat.  However, God does not wish us to tarry close to the sink hole which pulls in everything around it.  Satan is the sink hole that is pulling down our morals, family values, nation, the whole world.  Satan is the gift that keeps on taking.  Well, guess what?

  JESUS CHRIST IS THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING!!  Jesus saves people from drugs, alcohol, bondage, prostitution, evil ways, anger, jealously, selfishness, and on and on. 

   If JESUS CHRIST was a credit card, the gift that keeps on giving, what is his fee?  To share the good news with others!!!  And what do you get back?  Something greater than 5% - ETERNAL LIFE!!!  This is the gift that keeps on giving.

    The rich man died, went to hell, and all he asked for was a drop of water on his tongue.  WHY?  Because he was in so much agony!  He asked that his brothers be warned.  Too late!!  We make our choices now.  What is yours?  Obviously, since you are reading this you are a "JESUS FREAK."  Sooo, what to do then - continue to live as Jesus and lead others to salvation.

   If I designed my own credit card it would be of Jesus with the motto "The gift that keeps on giving!" Love you all. Stay strong, share the word my friend.

In Christ's Love and Grace
    Johnny

What do you value? Long today, but worth the read!!! Phil 3:8,9

Good morning all! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

   What do you value?  What are your values?  All that you do in life.....is it worthy or worthless?  How have you been trained?  How have you trained your children?

    Moses, a Hebrew child, in a time when execution of Israelite young males was ordered, was found by Pharaoh's daughter.  When she picked the child up, the child cried.  This cry went straight to her heart. Then, as always, God's hand was evident as the Hebrew mother who was summoned to nurse and raise Moses was none other than Moses birth mother. Wow!

   Value!  Moses' mother raised him and trained him as her own for the Pharaoh's daughter until Moses reached the age to be taught in the palace.  We teach and we train.  We teach and this may or may not remain with someone; but when we train, the training remains.  What values are we trained in?  What values are YOU trained in?

   Do you relish the things of this world?  Sunday comes when we can have fellowship with other believers - whether in a church with walls, a church without walls, or just a group of believers gathering to worship God, do you participate or do you FIND REASONS NOT TO ATTEND?  Because you are in a church does not make you a Christian, just as standing in a garage does not make you a car.  However, we must come together, sharpen our tools of spiritual warfare to battle the many things satan sends forth.

  Paul says in Philippians 3:8,9 "Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.  For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law, rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ."

   You should value your relationship with Christ as the ultimate goal. How?  Study the life of Christ, the New Testament, let the Holy Spirit lead (in prayer & worship) and take up Christ's mission to preach the gospel.   You have a choice, either to hell with it and to there I go also; OR, off to see the Saviour, the wonderful Jesus Christ.  The choice is yours my friend - what do you value? Life eternal or.......

   In Christ's Love and Grace
      Johnny

Stay alert - Pray Matthew 26:40-41

Good morning all! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

  Yesterday I mentioned devoured or devoted and the last verse Matthew 26:41; let's go back and look at 40 and 41 and see what Jesus was saying.

   Matthew 26:40-41 "The he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, "Couldn't you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing but the body is weak.""

   Jesus went to the garden of Gethsemane and told the disciples to sit there while he goes to pray.  Well, they all fell asleep.  Jesus was in agony because He knew what the future held.  We should go to our father and pray when we know what is in store for us or we don't know, we should pray. Jesus' remark to Peter was to warn him about his drowsiness.

   We must stay alert, being aware of the possibilities of temptation, be sensitive to the subtleties, and be spiritually equipped to fight it.  To overcome temptation we must be ALERT and PRAY!

   Temptation, satan's ploy, is to strike us when we are vulnerable, when we least expect it, but God strength through prayer will carry us through, make our defenses stronger and defeat satan's power.

   When you are in church, doing things for the kingdom, this is when satan will attack.  Why?  Because that is when you are the biggest threat.  If you are out doing the things of the world---you are no threat to satan;  when you are WORKING FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD  he considers you a threat.

   Stay strong my friend---Pray  Pray  Pray. Love you all.  SIR, WE WOULD SEE JESUS!!!

In Christ's Love and Grace
   Johnny